Slidell’s plan to buy North Shore Square Mall falls through weeks before election

SLIDELL, La. — Just weeks before Election Day, Slidell’s plan to purchase the mostly abandoned North Shore Square Mall has collapsed.

Once considered the city’s economic engine, the 48-acre mall property has sat mostly empty for nearly two decades. Many residents say they’re eager to see something take its place.

“You need something out here, it’s boring,” one resident said. “I’m a shopper, I love to shop, I’d be glad to see it reopen.”

Last month, city leaders signed off on a multi-million-dollar plan to purchase the mall, but on Tuesday, the deal fell through.

“I was definitely blindsided by it, and really taken back,” said Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert, who is also running for re-election. “I feel bad for the district members that stuck their neck out to do the right thing, to move th